 |
| Warm paws on a hot Aga, heaven for pussy cats |
We really have had weather since we’ve been here, mum definitely made the right decision going last Monday, Tuesday was horrendously windy, so apart from popping to the local co-op for a few bits, and a newspaper, that was us for the day.
Wednesday we went out for Brian’s 65th Birthday, I know his birthday wasn’t till Thursday, but we didn’t know when we would be meeting Denise and Paul. We went to the ‘local’ Indian restaurant, a cut above our usual balti house. They’ve won spice awards and all sorts! I’d found a voucher on Travelzoo (no I’d never heard of it either) for 63% off their 7course tasting menu. Yes it was his birthday and he could have whatever he wanted, but it tasted so much sweeter at £59 with a glass of Prosecco each thrown in. We thoroughly enjoyed all the flavours and the presentation, a lovely lunch.
 |
| Its raining outside and pussy cats don't like rain. No, there's nothing we can do about it and we're certainly not going to hold an umbrella over you while you're out! |
 |
| Brian and Paul chatting on Cleeve Common |
Thursday for his actual birthday was a little quiet, apart from the rain which was relentless, and the bottle of Prosecco that our homeowners had told us to help ourselves to, when they realised it was the very day. There was also much chat with Tony in Scotland, it being his birthday too!
Friday was the last of the joints Nicky had sent us away with, mmm, lamb, my favourite, and more rain! Tomorrow though, it should be better!
Fortunately it was, a really good day for a walk with Denise and Paul. We met them across Cleeve Common at the Rising Sun Hotel for a very pleasant 6 mile walk. Once we’d left the carpark and persuaded Denise up a short sharp ascent by Castle Rock, the site of an SMC summer BBQ many years ago, to the plateau of the Common the views were stunning. Denise had read in the last blog about Belas Knap which was on this route and wasn’t looking forward to it after mum’s comments. However we’d actually done the ascent as we approached from the opposite direction and only had to walk down the way we’d come before. At this point route finding seemed to get a little tricky, but we were soon back on the right track and relatively soon back at the pub for our well deserved 15.00 lunch booking.
 |
| Jackie pointing out Cheltenham racecourse at Castle Rock |
The weather was good on Sunday too, but Brian’s knee has been giving him some grief, well he did go out for a run the previous Sunday on our return from our walk with Helen and Ian.... He hasn’t run since, but he could feel it after the previous days walk. Monday he mowed the lawns, again. Takes a long time when we’ve had such great growing conditions! |
| Here's the view from Castle Rock, the racecourse in the centre, Cheltenham off to the left and, down there in front of the trees is the Cotswold Way footpath that we left to climb up here, much to Denise's dismay. Worth it for the view eh? |
Today we thought we’d better actually have a little look at Cheltenham, so parked up and walked through the town to the Town Hall and the parks beyond before ambling down the High St. It just all takes a little longer popping on a mask to go into every shop. And tomorrow we are off. We shall miss these pussycats, they are both very affectionate and love a good lap to curl up on, a benefit, as it has cooled down dramatically! A couple of days and then we start our ‘staycation’ with Helen and Ian, staying at theirs and going out on day trips....
 |
| Up on Cleeve Common above Castle Rock and there's some climbers belaying people on climbs. Those hills on the skyline are the Malvern Hills. Not a bad place to climb or walk |
 |
| Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe zoomed in from the top of the hill just past Belas Knapp (We haven't put any photos of the very interesting Belas Knapp as we put some in the last blog entry) |
 |
| The view we had through the window during lunch at the Rising Sun Inn |
 |
| In the good old days we'd all meet up in a pub on a Monday night, now we do it by Jitsi (whatever that is). But at least we can still meet up with Mark, Tim and Bill even when we're in different parts of the country. Tim does need to get some furniture in that room though, it looks like a padded cell! Do you think he looks a bit like Monty Halls or is it just me? |
 |
| How can we possibly get up when pussy cats are so comfy? |
 |
| Lovely Cheltenham today. This is the Municipal Building in the centre |
 |
| The Neptune Fountain, apparently its inspiration was the Trevi Fountain in Rome |
 |
| The beautifully kept Imperial Gardens and Town Hall beyond |
 |
| A good old but vanishing British sight, red post boxes and telephone boxes. There's actually no phones in any of them now, but they still seem well kept. They are now protected as grade II listed buildings, one has a defibrillator in it, the others may be used for temporary art exhibitions |
No comments:
Post a Comment